Many disabled individuals are currently benefitting from the field of therapy called therapeutic recreation. Every major rehabilitation center has a separate and growing recreation therapy department as this field of therapy gains recognition. People who are disabled are demanding access to all types of sports and recreation activities, but they must have special equipment in order to participate.The difficulty in finding such equipment is personally understood by the principal investigator, who was paralyzed from a 1978 waterski-racing accident and then unable to locate an adapted waterski.Several small companies scattered across the United States currently manufacture a few items that allow handicapped people to participate in a limited number of exercise and recreational activities. However, there is a need to (1) develop additional adaptive recreational equipment, and (2) provide a centralized clearinghouse of information about adaptive exercise and recreational equipment (such as a catalog) for individuals and organizations requiring this specialized equipment.Consequently, the proposed research will (l) identify what products are currently available, (2) identify what products the market needs, but that are not available, (3) develop a specific method to meet this market need, and (4) determine the market strategy and distribution procedure required to bring customers and equipment together.Anticipated Results and
Potential Commercial Applications: Recreation Therapy is now a recognized means of rehabilitation. Participation in achievement-oriented recreation activities enhances the mainstreaming and socialization of persons with disabilities by building confidence and self-esteem.Phase I of this research will provide a means to make available adaptive recreation equipment to people who would otherwise not be able to participate in activities. The equipment will be made available through a mail-order catalog, with Access to Recreation, Inc. acting as a clearinghouse for these products. Phase II would focus on designing and developing the products with the greatest potential to meet specific market's needs determined from Phase I research.Key Words: Handicapped/Disabled Individuals, Adaptive Recreation Equipment, Clearinghouse DistributionTopic 2: Exercise and Recreation Equipment for Disabled Individuals
